Ventura Flores
Ventura Flores 1836-1891
Ventura Flores was born in Cadiz, Spain, in 1836. He lived at 230 West Zarragossa Street, which meant that he lived within two blocks of the waterfront. The waterline was much closer to Main Street throughout the 19th century until, through accidental and intentional labor, it was pushed to the location it is today. Flores' choice of home was likely influenced by his occupation as a boatman. Boatmen were and are the general laborers of the water, fulfilling whatever nautical duties are required of them at the moment.
He married Anita, a native of Pensacola, and together they had two children, Katie and Joseph. Although Ventura passed away more than twenty years before Anita, they are buried together in St. Michael's Cemetery along with several other family members. Their marble grave marker depicts a cross, a symbol of resurrection as well as their religion, while an urn, a symbol of earthly death, decorates the footstone.
Researched and written by Richard Adams, University of West Florida Public History program.
